Pitta dislocated his hip on the third day of camp. It's a huge downgrade to Baltimore's offense, and means plodding in-line TE Ed Dickson will be forced into an full-time role. Torrey Smith is the Ravens' only current viable receiver. An ascending "flex/move" tight end, Pitta was highly likely to lead Baltimore in receptions this season as essentially the team's in-house replacement for Anquan Boldin. Because Pitta did practice early in camp, he's not a candidate for PUP. The Ravens could place Pitta on injured reserve/designated for return in hopes of a late-year comeback. Like Jeremy Maclin -- the Eagles' wideout who was also lost for the season Saturday -- Pitta was entering a contract year.

Why? Have they not made medical advances with this injury? I'm curious to know.

It relates to the way the Femoral head is vascularized... Dislocated hips notoriously loose blood flow... and parts of it can die, as a result. They have not developed ways to replace that blood flow yet. If it's damaged, all you can do is rest it, and cross your fingers. To make it worse, Pita also has a fracture in the area.

Avascular Necrosis is what killed Bo Jackson's career... and he had no where near the damage that it sounds like Pita has.

Look at the number of players who have suffered a torn hip labrum who NEVER returned to their prior game. It just doesn't heal well...